4emeryj44

I currently have a 2016 GMC Sierra CCSB 1500 Z71 5.3 w/ 6L90 transmission. It currently has a 4.5" CST lift kit with 35" tires, and yes I do off road the truck and go on some fairly difficult Jeep trails. So after this last trip off road I noticed a definite clunking/popping sound coming from the front end, I had noticed it before a couple months prior but it seemed to have gone away. I had the kit installed a 4 Wheel Parts in Virginia Beach, being that I purchased the warranty I took it to them to look into the issue. They called and told me the passenger side steering rack bushing is cracked/broken/separated (honestly cannot remember the exact term they used, but regardless it's out) and that GM doesn't allow for the passenger side to be replaced, but yet the driver side can. With that being said, that means that the entire steering rack requires replacement which is not covered under warranty (BTW I have 50,XXX miles on the truck). I cannot bring myself to comprehend a bushing that cannot be replaced, and I can't seem to find anything on the internet about this, which is a first!!!!!! I am going to the dealer tomorrow, I know the guy that runs the local dealer and he is going to run my vin into a "customer loyalty program" to see how much of the total cost the dealer would cover based on how much money I've paid the dealer in oil changes/fluid changes, maintenance, etc..... Can anyone provide me information on that passenger side bushing? Why is it not replaceable? Is it due to the location of it on the rack? Is it a pressed in bushing or somehow integrated into the rack making it not replaceable? Is there anyone that would suggest a better aftermarket rack that would be similar in price but more durable? Anyone know of some modification to where you can somehow get the old bushing out and replace it with a new? There has to be something. How can I justify in my own brain to replace a perfectly good steering rack (approximately $2,000.00) for a bad bushing?

Not even close IMO this is right tire/wheel at full left crank This is left tire/wheel at full left crank